Fintown Railway

News and events

2017 Season
Fintown Railway re-opens for Season 2017 on Thursday 1st of June.  For full details of opening hours please click here.

Archived News - 

Fintown Railway AGM Notice

The AGM will take place on the 28th of November 2012  at 8pm in the Fintown Health Centre

Agenda

1. Review of progress in recent past

2. Financial Report

3. Election of new board of Directors

All Aboard the Santa Train

Santa will be back at Fintown Railway on Sunday 11th December for his festive trip in the Fintown Winter Wonderland.  As always, all children will  receive a quality gift from SantaDepartures are at 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm. Advance booking essential

Summers Coming at Fintown Railway!
After what can only be described as another severe winter in Fintown, we can now look forward to summer at the Railway.
Back in December conditions were so bad with snow and ice that the annual Santa Express had to be cancelled. 
Hopefully there will be no such problems on 1st June when the railway re-opens for the summer season.  Details of the summer season are available on our Visitor information page  - click here for more details

Halloween at Fintown Railway!
The ever popular Halloween Ghost Train will be in action at the Fintown Railway on the 29th and 30th October 2010.  Kids of all ages will enjoy a train journey with a difference when things are sure to go "bump" along the line!  Advance booking essential on +353 (0)7495 46280

A Date for Your Diary!
The Directors and Staff of Fintown Railway are delighted to confirm that the 2009 summer season will begin on Sunday 31st May.  The railway will then be open 7 days a week during the months of June, July, August and up to Sunday 5th September.  With its outdoor childrens play area, Gift Shop which also sells teas and coffees there really is something for everyone at Fintown Railway this summer.

 

 

Visitors Flock to Fintown Railway

Although the weather is not what we would be expecting at this time of year it has done nothing to deter visitors coming to Fintown Railway.  To date visitor figures and takings are up on this time in 2007.  Staff and management at the Railway are hoping that this trend continues for the remainder of the season.  The main factors behind this improved performance can be attributed to effective marketing via the web, e-mail and brochure distribution.  Furthermore the presence of signage on approach roads and at major junctions within 20km of the Railway means that there should be no bewildered tourists stopping the locals and asking for directions to the Railway this year

Summer Season on Track at Fintown Railway

Preparations are well under way at the Fintown Railway, County Donegal?s only operational railway, ahead of the summer season which begins this coming Sunday, 1st June.

With talk of rail links for County Donegal very much in the news at present, there has never been a better time to come along to Fintown Railway.  Let the train ?take the strain? as you sample a train trip along the former County Donegal Railway route on board Railcar 18, on loan from the North West of Ireland Railway Society and one of only six original County Donegal Railways Railcars still existence. 

Fintown railway

During the winter months the Railway has been extended by a further 500m beyond the head of Lough Finn and other developments on site have included the addition of a childrens play area.

In addition on Sunday, there will be a bouncy castle for kids to play on whilst their parents can relax and take in the spectacular views across Lough Finn to Aghla Mountain.  A trip to Fintown Railway is a perfect day out for all the family.

Commenting ahead of the season chairperson of Comhlacht Traenach na Gaeltachta Lair (200) Teo, Oliver MacDevitt said ?The Railway?s popularity is growing year on year.  The additional track and the new childrens play area will help enhance the overall visitor experience.  As a community initiative the Railway is very much indebted to the support received from our funders, Udaras na Gaeltachta, MFG and ICBAN/Interreg through the Cross Border Heritage Railway Cluster Project.?

The Railway will also be open on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd June.  Throughout the month of June the Railway will be open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  During July and August the railway is open every day.

All Aboard The Santa Express at Fintown Railway

Following on from the phenomenal success of their Halloween Ghost Trains, the staff and crew at Fintown Railway are busy preparing for the visit of none other than Santa Claus.

Santa will be taking some time out from his hectic schedule to visit Fintown Railway?s Winter Wonderland on the 9th and 16th December when he will be taking a train journey along the shores of Lough Finn. Every child on board the Santa Express will get the opportunity to meet Santa and will also receive a special gift.

Already both dates are booking up and the advice therefore is to book ahead.

A trip on the Santa Express at Fintown Railway is always the perfect way to get into the festive spirit and is a great way to keep the children amused.

Over and above the excitement of the trip on the train, meeting Santa and receiving a gift, children and parents alike can enjoy live music, snacks and refreshments back at the station.

Oliver MacDevitt, Chairperson of Comhlacht Traenach na Gaeltachta Lair (2000) Teo commented ?We get people coming from far and wide to go on the Santa Express and they come back year after year. We have high hopes that the Santa Express 2007 will be the best and busiest year yet?

So if you are looking at capturing the magic of Christmas you had better book your tickets for the Santa Express at Fintown Railway. But beware only boys and girls who have been good this year will be allowed on the Santa Express!

Halloween on Track at Fintown Railway

Preparations are now well under way at Fintown Railway ahead of the Halloween Ghost Trains which will run on 27, 28 and 29 October.

Now in their third year of operation the Halloween Specials are popular with children of all ages and draw large crowds from far and wide to the village of Fintown on the banks of Lough Finn.

The main feature of the Halloween experience is of course the train journey along the shores of Lough Finn. But this is no ordinary train journey, things will go bump along the track and there will be some strange looking passengers as well! Afterwards back at the station kids can enjoy face painting, whilst the adults can enjoy live music and refreshments.

Whilst there is a lot of fun associated with the Halloween Ghost Trains the staff of Fintown Railway will be hard at work in the lead up to and including the three days ensuring everything is alright on the night. ?Halloween is a key time for the Railway and helps boost business in the off-season which in turn helps contribute towards the sustainability of Fintown Railway? said Oliver MacDevitt, Chairperson of Comhlacht Traenach na Gaeltachta Lair (2000) Teo.

Trains will run on all three days from 4.30pm until 8.00pm, advance booking is essential and full details are available on www.antraen.com

So why not combine a fun outing for the family this Halloween with a trip on Co. Donegal?s only operational railway.

Belgian Tramcar Carriages For Sale at Fintown Railway

Fintown railway

Three turn of the 20th Century Belgian Tramcar Carriages are being offered for sale by Fintown Railway. These vehicles (approx 9m long x 2.3m wide) were used on the narrow guage 3ft railway.
They represent an ideal opportunity for railway enthusiasts to acquire a rare vehicle and/or are ideal for conversion to a unique holiday accommodation, summer house for the garden, childrens play room, office/storage space or even smoking room for pubs/hotels.
Each tramcar carriage is available at ?5000 o.n.o.
All enquiries to Fintown Railway +353 (0)74 95 46280

Interreg Funds Locomotive for Fintown Railway

Fintown railway
The much anticipated return of their locomotive back after a six month overhaul was evident with an assembled crowd of directors, staff and visitors to greet its arrival at Fintown Railway on Friday 20th July.

The Simplex diesel locomotive was refurbished and reconditioned by Alan Keef Ltd. of Herefordshire, England. The works were co-ordinated by Patrick Keef who traveled to Fintown with the locomotive to oversee its return to operating service.

The funding for the locomotive was made available through Fintown Railway?s participation in the Cross Border Heritage Railway Cluster which is a partnership with the following heritage railways; Cavan & Leitrim, Giant?s Causeway & Bushmills Railway and Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway. The project valued at ?507,076, is concerned with the development, marketing and promotion of these Heritage Railways and is part-financed by the European Union through the Interreg IIIA Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the ICBAN Partnership. Match funding is being provided by Udaras na Gaeltachta.

The new look locomotive is resplendent in the red and cream livery of the County Donegal Railways (C.D.R.) and even bears the C.D.R. company crest such is the attention to detail. The crew of drivers will benefit from a higher cab position, improved sound proofing and all round visibility. Evidence of the level of works carried out on the locomotive were such that Alan Keef Ltd. have assigned it Number 78, such numbers are normally only issued for new build locomotives.

 

Especially pleased to see the return of the locomotive was Chairperson of Fintown Railway, Oliver MacDevitt who said ?The locomotive is now back in service ahead of the peak visitor season. Not only will the locomotive be eye catching as it operates with Railcar 18, it will offer a higher level of reliability.?

Equally content was Martin McAndrew, Manager of the Cross Border Heritage Railway Cluster Project, who said ?The locomotive is another important step towards improving the level of product on offer here at Fintown. With completion of the track extension to follow shortly these are exciting times for Fintown Railway.?

All Aboard at The Fintown Railway for Summer Season 2007

On Saturday 30th June, the Fintown Railway will open for the Summer 2007 Season. Preparations are well under way to have the Railway, it?s locos and rolling stock ready for the first passengers.

The Railway which has been open since 1995 will once again offer passengers a three mile return rail journey along the shores of Lough Finn under the mighty Aghla Mountain following the original lines of the County Donegal Railway. A perfect day out for young and old alike. On board passengers can enjoy a commentary revealing the history of the County Donegal Railway whilst enjoying the spectacular views.

Moreover Fintown is located in a Gaeltacht district of Donegal where Irish language and customs flourish. It is the perfect place to take some time out of your hectic schedule and enjoy life at a more leisurely pace

Enthusiasts will be delighted to know that the original Railcar 18 will once again be in service for season 2007. In mid July the Fintown Railway will take delivery from Alan Keef Ltd. of its reconditioned and refurbished Simplex Diesel loco which will then enter into service for the remainder of the season.

With there being much talk recently of bringing back the Railway to Co. Donegal and increasing awareness of ?carbon footprints? why don?t you hotfoot it to Fintown this summer and enjoy a Railway journey from a bygone era!

Speaking ahead of the Season, Chairperson of Fintown Railway, Oliver MacDevitt commented ?Everyone connected with the Fintown Railway is looking ahead and are excited at the prospects for Summer season 2007. I would also like to acknowledge the support we have received from our funders, Udaras na Gaeltachta, MFG and ICBAN/Interreg through the Cross Border Heritage Railway Cluster Project.?

The Fintown Railway will be open from 30th June until 11th September and is open 7 days. From Monday ? Saturday it will be open from 11am to 4pm and on Sundays from 1pm ? 5pm. For more information please call 00353 (0)74 9546280 or e-mail info@antraen.com or visit Fintown Railway online at www.antraen.com

Furthermore Fintown Railway is involved in the Cross Border Heritage Railway Cluster Project which is promoting three other Railways under the the Ulster & Connaught Heritage Railways brand. The three partner railways are the Cavan & Letrim Railway, The Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway and the Giant?s Causeway & Bushmills Railway. Further information on these Railways can be obtained from www.ucrailways.com

Interreg Funding Delivers in Fintown

On Saturday 20th January the Fintown Railway took delivery of a re-conditioned carriage for use on the restored railway line along the scenic banks of Lough Finn.

The funding for this restoration work was made available through Fintown Railway?s participation in the Cross Border Heritage Railway Cluster which is a partnership with the following heritage railways; Cavan & Leitrim, Giant?s Causeway & Bushmills Railway and Downpatrick & Co. Down Railway. The project valued at ?507,076, is concerned with the development, marketing and promotion of these Heritage Railways and is part-financed by the European Union through the Interreg IIIA Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the ICBAN Partnership. Match funding is being provided by Udaras na Gaeltachta.

The carriage originally from Lord O?Neill?s railway at Shane?s Castle in Co. Antrim, had undergone a major refurbishment and upgrade for use on the Fintown Railway. These works were carried out by locomotive builders and light railway engineers, Alan Keef Ltd of Herefordshire, England, and Patrick Keef traveled with the carriage to Fintown to oversee its safe delivery.

Fintown railway

The new carriage features disabled friendly access, PA/sound system and it is finished in the red and cream livery of the County Donegal Railways.

The new carriage is sure to be popular with visitors to Fintown in the season ahead and beyond. Chairman of Fintown Railway, Oliver MacDevitt said ?This carriage will be more user friendly and therefore improve the comfort level of the visitor?s experience on the railway?.

Project Manager, Martin McAndrew said ?The delivery of this carriage is the first tangible output of the Interreg funded project here at Fintown, and over the course of 2007 the Railway will benefit from more capital and training development. Furthermore the four partner railways involved in the Project will benefit from a major marketing campaign which will in turn attract a higher number of visitors?

Fintown railway

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Opening Times


September 2023 - Opening Times 

We are open 3 days per week on Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

For opening hours, tickets and directions CLICK HERE

Contact Details:

Fintown Railway
An Mhuc Dubh
Fintown
Co. Donegal
Ireland
F94 FR90

To enquire please contact our office:

Tel +353 (0)74 954 6280
E: Please message us via Facebook
W: antraen.com

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